Expectations Become Reality For Brantley's Hortian

And though winning a state title wasn't a surprise, Hortian accomplished exactly what he was supposed to, which makes it a major accomplishment.

Not everyone is able to live up to preseason expectations.

Hortian, an Altamonte Springs Lake Brantley foreign exchange student from West Germany, actually gave his competition a major advantage by playing soccer this past winter.

That set him back a few weeks in his amount of tennis training.

The manner in which he strolled through the state tournament makes Hortian the overwhelming choice as the Seminole Sentinel Player of the Week.

Along with his Division 2 singles title, Hortian also teamed with Mark Mance to capture the Division 1 doubles title, and had an important part of Lake Brantley winning the Class AAAA state championship.

Lake Brantley Coach Frank Gooch felt Hortian may have been playing as well as anyone, regardless of division, at the end of the season.

Though other accomplishments pale in comparison to those of Hortian, there were several other outstanding efforts.

A collective accolade goes to Mance, Pete, Mark Palus and Jonathon Bourne for their performances in leading the Patriots to the state title.

Sanford Seminole triple jumper Alvin Jones eclipsed the 50-foot mark in winning the Class AAAA, District 9 event on only two attempts. It surpassed the 49-5 distance Jones reached in winning the state title last year. Jones also won the long jump.

Seminole miler Billy Penick is zeroing in on the time he attained while winning the state title last year when his 4:18.7 claimed the district mile Friday night. Penick's winning time at state was 4:18.

Oviedo hurdler Karl Wright went below the 40- second mark for the second consecutive meet in posting a winning time of 39.43 in taking the Class AAA, District 3 330-yard hurdles. Wright also finished second in the 110 hurdles.

Lake Mary junior left-hander Steve Shakar pitched the Rams to a 9-1 victory over potentially dangerous Lake Howell in the semifinals of the Class AAAA, District 9 baseball tournament.

Rams senior Mike Schmit had enough left to pitch a complete game victory over Lyman on just two days rest. Schmit allowed only two hits in a victory over Daytona Beach Mainland on Tuesday.